Toledo Walleye Receive Offer From PETA to Display Famous Fish Empathy Quilt at Huntington Center

For Immediate Release:
October 1, 2024

Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382

Ahead of the Toledo Walleye’s opening game of the regular season on October 19, PETA sent a letter today to team President and CEO Joseph D. Napoli offering to provide the group’s famous, first-of-its-kind Fish Empathy Quilt for it to display at the Huntington Center to promote friendliness to all fish—not only team mascot Spike. PETA’s quilt has made a splash in Europe and the U.S.—including during a monthlong stay at Eureka City Hall in California—and if the Walleye’s home arena becomes the quilt’s next stop, PETA will arrange for a giveaway of delicious fish-free meals for fans and an appearance from its own crowd-pleasing mascot Tiffany Tuna at a game.

“Fish are smart, sensitive individuals who don’t want to be hauled out of their homes and eaten any more than any human would,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA encourages the Walleye to notch up a win for marine life by displaying the quilt’s kind message.”

The Fish Empathy Quilt measures more than 300 square feet and is composed of more than 100 unique, handcrafted squares from PETA members and supporters, including cartoonist Harry Bliss and oceanographic explorer and film producer Jean-Michel Cousteau.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Napoli follows.

October 1, 2024

Joseph D. Napoli

President and CEO

Toledo Walleye

Dear Mr. Napoli:

Hello! I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals—PETA entities have more than 9 million members and supporters worldwide, including hundreds of thousands in Ohio—ahead of the Toledo Walleye’s upcoming season with an idea with which we hope you’ll assist. To help Walleye fans have compassion for fish like Spike, we’d love to loan a thought-provoking item to display at the Huntington Center: the world’s first and only Fish Empathy Quilt. It has already made its way all over the country and even overseas, attracting viewers everywhere it goes. Would you like to display it in the arena for the 2024–2025 season?

The quilt is a vibrant, creative depiction of marine life. It features more than 100 unique squares contributed by individuals around the globe—including a few famous ones, such as cartoonist Harry Bliss and French oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau. Collectively, they’ve created an eclectic masterpiece that continues to attract attention as people’s sensitivity to the plight of animals increases. It consists of six sections of varying dimensions, which can be displayed separately or clipped together as one large exhibit measuring over 300 square feet.

Just like dogs and cats—and humans, for that matter—fish have individual personalities. They communicate with each other, show affection by gently rubbing against one another, and are extremely resourceful and intelligent. More and more people are realizing that it’s time to breakaway from the unsustainable global fishing industry, and the market for vegan seafood is projected to reach $1.6 billion over the next 10 years. Fish are friends—not food—and deserve a save. Our Fish Empathy Quilt beautifully reflects the growing awareness of this fact.

In November, three of the quilt’s panels were exhibited outside the council chambers at Eureka City Hall in California. The Huntington Center would be the quilt’s perfect next stop. If you agree to go forward, we’d be happy to send along our mascot Tiffany Tuna to offer delicious fish-free treats front and center to fans at a game. We’re sure she’ll get along swimmingly with Spike.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Very truly yours,

Ingrid Newkirk

President